02/17/2009 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 2/17/2009 moved for adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kearney and passed unanimously. Resolution No. 2009-24 adopted. Resolution No. 2009-25 was introduced and placed on first reading by Mayor O'Grady. A resolution extending the city's contract with Richard L. Bowen + Associates, Inc., and the City Engineer and Assistant City Engineer, to provide engineering services to and as the city's Engineering Division, and declaring an emergency. Councilman Mahoney moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings and committee review noting the request is being made by Service Director Limpert as the contract expires on February 27, 2009, and further noting in Section 1 of the Resolution it is indicated it is a contract extension for 30 days only. The motion was seconded by Councilman Gareau and passed unanimously. Councilman Mahoney moved for adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilman Gareau and passed unanimously. Resolution No. 2009-25 adopted. MIS„ CEL~ANEQUS BUSINESS Marjorie Bowden, 23492 Marion Road, resident of North Olmsted for 18 years, spoke about animal care standards for companion animals. She feels current Codified Section 505.071, Cruelty to Companion Animals, needs to be updated and revised because change is coming. The last time it was revised was December 5, 2000. She also feels that it should be monitored so that we can be sure it is enforced by our Animal Warden. This is necessary for public safety issues for residents and dogs. As temperatures dip to very cold weather at night, dogs should be brought into the house as they are suffering from the cold regardless of the breed or if they have a dog house. Most of the dog houses are only plastic and, even with straw, do not keep the animals from the really extreme temperatures we have had this year. She said the Animal Warden has said we are more interested in the well being of the animal versus enforcing the law. He also said he does look into leaving a dog outside in very cold and hot weather. Taxpaying residents deserve a quiet time in their homes in the evenings without being annoyed by barking dogs chained outside in dog houses late at night. Keeping residents happy is good for the community. The most extremely critical point she wants to make is with our economy in such a turmoil and more home foreclosures coming and people leaving their pets behind by leaving them tied or chained is truly a turnoff to potential new home buyers. So this is something that's important for our community to keep growing. As a solution, she suggests that dog owners, instead of having a chain to the dog house or a stake in the ground, they can install a cable run at least 20 feet to go back and forth across their yard. It keeps the dog contained in the yard, keeps the dog from being frustrated from being tied in one spot for 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. She is requesting a committee meeting for March 10 to go into more detail on these issues and also to put into Council meetings to continue with this animal care standards for companion animals and to please ask the Animal Warden as an official of our city to return resident's phone calls promptly. Ms. Bowden provided Council with copies of "Why Chaining is Cruel." She appreciates the time of the Council Members who have been talking to her over the phone about this issue. 16